Sydney & Denny

Thursday, September 30, 2010

I believe someone has hacked the two email accounts I have, and it really pisses me off. I think it is affecting this blog as well. I have not had anyone look at this blog in about 36 hours, and while I do not expect to have a crap ton of viewers at this point, I was getting some decent numbers. It is really disappointing. If anyone out there in blog world has been spammed by something from either of my email accounts, I really apologize.I AM NOT A SPAMMER!!!What is most disappointing is that I am really trying to work hard to make this work, and it seems that somebody is undermining that work. I am just starting out in this, and I really have no idea why someone would even want to get into my accounts. I do not have that many contacts, I'm not THAT popular. Again, if you have received spam from my accounts, I am so sorry.Bill collectors.In addition to having my email hacked, some really weird company called my wife's work twice today and said they were some Federal Investigators. They said she had to call back or she would be arrested! I knew it was some sort of scam right away. I called them back and said I was my wife. The people that were there couldn't get their minds around the thought that a man could be named Stacy! So after a little convincing, they told me about this lawsuit being filed against her. I think they may have a legit bill of ours that we have overlooked. However, the way these people handled it was out of control. I finally got a person who told me I was dumb, and that I had no money in my pocket and that is why I had this bill! I offered to pay the bill right then, and he refused saying that he would rather see someone with an attitude like mine "go behind the bars." I wish I had recorded the conversation so I could report it to the BBB. The people were all foreigners, and no disrespect to people from outside of the US, but my thoughts are, do your homework before you come into our country and start demanding money from actual US citizens! I really gave this person the runaround. He hung up on me before I could refer him to my lawyer, Mr. Arthur Vandelay. Seinfeld reference for all the fans out there.Dental pain.That wasn't even the hardest part of my day. Since my wife was off work I had the chance to go get some needed dental work done. I had to have a tooth pulled, and that just sucked big time. I have had some painful experiences in my life, but holy crap that hurt! I felt like the guy was standing on my chest with a pair of pliers trying to get this thing out. I made a vow right then to do everything I can to quit drinking pop, and teach my kids good dental health habits. Having my tooth pulled leads to the obvious question: What's worse, being a stay-at-home dad, or having a tooth pulled? Ha! I'd stay at home with my kids forever and never complain about it. I love those two rug rats.Have a great night, and stay away from the spam!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

What to watch.I have been giving a lot of thought lately to what and how much TV my kids watch. I really try and limit the use of the TV as a babysitter, but I fear that I do use it that was from time to time. It's hard for me not to. Especially during the day when I have housework to do. It's really easy to put a show on and let them watch it while I clean the kitchen, or sort the laundry. And the fact that I seem to ALWAYS have those two things to do is a subject for another blog post. There are a couple of shows that if I put on, both of my kids will sit quietly and watch. I don't have to worry about them getting into anything, or fighting, or causing the usual amount of mayhem. Some of the shows they watch are actually good for them, and some of them are just plain entertainment.Our show!We are a TV family. I have come to face that reality, and I'd actually like to change that. My wife and I have a whole list of shows that we watch during the week. On top of that, I have my sports on TV, and the various sports information shows(not to mention any by names but Duh Duh Duh, Duh Duh Duh!) My kids have unfortunately learned that behavior from us. I really wish we were more active as a family. I just don't seem to be able to make the appropriate changes to my(our) life in order to become more active. I try and take the kids outside to play when it's nice, and I try and encourage them be active. However, I don't do nearly a good enough job with it. Heck, like I've said, I encourage them to watch TV at times. I like to consider myself somewhat intelligent, and able to make decent decisions. That is why I try and put educational shows on for the kids to watch. I try and keep the PBS shows on in the mornings, but there is one show that our entire family has come to love. It is on Disney and DisneyXD most of the time. It is called Phineas and Ferb. I actually love the show. It has enough adult themes for grown ups to like, yet not so much that the kids even notice it. It's really funny, and the kids love Perry the Platypus. Is it the most educational? No. But, as much as I want them to not be couch potatoes, I think TV is supposed to be recreational at times. I think it is okay to have fun with the TV, and that show actually brings us together. Another one like that is America's Funniest Home Videos. My kids seem to love that show. Even though I think it does give my son ideas! There are too many dads getting hit in the crotch on that show! He sees that and I know from the look in his eyes that I'm bound to have that happen at some point. What they learn.I brought up the fact that my son gets ideas from AFV, but that can't be the only place on TV that he gets ideas from. I really worry about some of the things on TV these days. And, it's not just the shows. We can be watching a perfectly ok show, and a commercial will come on for some movie that is not something I think is ok for me to watch yet alone my kids. I always try to have the remote close by so I can quickly switch the channel away from those types of commercials. Heck, my son was sitting on my lap at the computer today and I went to some body's blog that had a picture of something from Halloween. He got all nervous and covered his eyes. That sort of stuff is everywhere. Don't get me started on the subject of sex on TV. I am not looking forward to the day when I have to tell them why they shouldn't be watching that sort of stuff. And I DEFINITELY am not looking forward to when I have to tell my wife to have "the talk" with them. There was an article that I found on kidshealth.org that talked about this subject. It talked about how TV and movies make violence, drugs, sex and other of those types of behaviors seem cool. How can kids not pick up on that sort of stuff. Your can find the entire article at the link I have provided.http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html#Blogs I enjoyAs I mentioned in my last post, in the last couple of weeks I have come across a lot of blogs that I really like. There are so many good blogs on being a SAHD, and so much for me to learn. I am really new at being a SAHD, and even newer at being a blogger. That makes it hard for me to know blogs are really good, and what blogs are complete BS. I do know that Keith Wilcox has a really enjoyable blog that is also really informative. It is at http://www.almightydad.com/I hope if you get the chance you check it out. I have even been lucky enough to have had Keith give me few pointers, and I would like to thank him if he is reading this.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Why bother?So it is that time of year again. Yep, it's that season where my daughter decides what she wants to be for Halloween, then changes her mind about 50 times. Of course, she started deciding what she wanted to be for this year on about November 1st of last year. Apparently she likes to dress up as stuff. I don't know where she gets it from. When I was a kid, I wanted to be one of two things. A football player or Luke Skywalker. Those were my only options as far as I was concerned. I wanted to be a football player because the rule at school was that we could only play tackle football if we all had pads and helmets on. Well, since we had virtually the same boys in school every year, a lot of us were football players with pads and helmets on. Oh sure, we would play tackle all of the time, but inevitably we would get caught and sent to the principal's office. We would write our sentences, or stay inside for whatever time we were sentenced to, but we would still end up tackling each other. It's just how it is with young boys. Or, I could be Luke Skywalker because it would be SO COOL to carry a lightsaber around school all day. Well, since I had nothing in terms of lightsabers but lots of football equipment, I always went as a football player. Except for 2nd grade.That was the year I have tried unsuccessfully to wipe from my Halloween memory banks. My mom dressed me as a hobo. A stupid ass hobo!!! I'm sorry Mom, but that just sucked, really bad. I cried all day, which come to think of it, I probably would do if I were a real hobo.Anyway, my point is that it doesn't really matter what a kid is for Halloween. We live in a part of the country where there is a decent chance that every kid you see will be in the same costume: a snowmobile suit! At that point, it doesn't really matter what is on underneath all of that warm clothing.It matters to her.I would be a really horrible daddy, and I think husband, if I didn't care at least a little what my kids dressed up as for Halloween. I do care, I really do. It's just that I don't care in the same way as my daughter, or my wife. My little girl wants something that she finds to be really cool. Right now she really likes princesses and Jessie from Toy Story. I think we have even settled on her being a pink Supergirl. With the "S" on the front it will in her mind stand for "Super Sydney." I think that is really cool. My wife likes it, so I'm good with that. My wife looks at this decision by thinking about what would be cute. I look at it thinking about what the kids could wear that would be best worn in colder weather. For example, she thought that my little boy would look cute as a boxer, or as BamBam. Well, she's right, he would look cute. However, if it's even somewhat cool that evening, he's going to freeze his little tukus off. She eventually settled on of all things, football player!How ironic huh?My blog experience.I have been writing this blog for a little over two weeks now and I have been having a lot of fun with it. I really hope that it's been fun for anyone who has read it as well. I have also been reading a lot of other blogs about being a Stay at Home Dad(or SAHD.) I've come to really look forward to reading a few of them, and as I continue on with this, I am going to be mentioning a few of them. The first one I'd like to mention is from a guy I find to be really funny, and has a really unique take on the whole SAHD thing. Here is a link to his site:http://bigdaddypaul.com/about/I hope you check it out and enjoy it as much as I do.Thank you and always remember: Always be prepared. That's not just the Boyscout motto, it's great parenting advise as well.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Hello again. Tonight I am going to talk about a topic that is near and dear to my heart. Naps. I wish I was going to talk about naps for myself, but alas, I am talking to about my kids and their naps.Night TerrorsThis evening we faced a somewhat regular occurrence in our house. Sydney woke up with what we have learned is night terrors. She starts with a little whimper and it escalates into full out talking. She seems awake, but is obviously not. I go up to her room, and she is scared and talking about something that I can't understand. I try to get her let me carry her downstairs, but everything I have read on the subject tells me to touch her as little as possible. Tonight my wife went and got her to come downstairs, and Denny was awake as well. Sydney wanted me to pick her up, and I tried talking to her. She was babbling on about something incomprehensible, so I just sat down and tried to reassure her. After about a minute she let a huge yawn, which is our clue that she is really awake and everything is okay. Sometimes these terrors last for up to five minutes and she is walking around shaking and not wanting to be touched. There is one common denominator to every time she has these terrors. She has refused to take a nap that day.No naps at schoolSydney has been in her afternoon pre-school program for a week now, starting at 12:20pm every week day. Well, that is right smack dab in the middle of her usual nap time. So, she didn't get a nap all of last week, yet we had no occurrences of night terrors. During the summer I would usually fix lunch for the kids sometime between 12 and 1, and they would go to bed right after. They would play for a little bit before falling asleep for usually an hour and a half to two hours. Well, now I take her to school after an early lunch then come home and put Denny down for a nap. Sydney obviously doesn't take a nap anymore, and like I said we didn't have any terrors. Today however, they were upstairs for their nap for about two hours without ever sleeping. They played and roughhoused the whole time. I went up their a couple of times to try and get them to sleep, but it was a lost cause. Then like I said we had an instance tonight with a night terror. I am just really curious about why whenever she doesn't take a nap when she is at home all day she has a terror, but not when she has school. I did some research online about naps for toddlers today while they weren't taking a nap, and I found quite a bit of good information. What I was looking for at the time was how to help the kids take naps, but now I am trying to find out more about night terrors. I did find this article on Parents.com http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/sleep/naps/how-to-help-your-toddler-nap/. I thought it was really informative and helpful. I also found a lot of info about when kids were at the age that naps were not needed. Some people have said that four year olds don't need naps that much, but some said they still do. I personally believe my daughter still needs a nap whenever she can get one. I think it goes back to my core belief that every child is different and needs to be treated as such.I am no expertI do not have a college degree and I only recently started the whole SAHD thing. I have been a parent for only a little under five years now, so it's not like I have a crap load of experience raising kids. However, I know my kids and I think I know what they need. That being said, I would really like some help with the whole night terror thing. If anyone has any ideas, please HELP! I feel so helpless when she has them. I can't do anything to make it stop. I feel like it's my job to protect her and keep her safe. I don't feel like I'm doing that job when she is freaking out with a terror. So again, please help.New subjectSo, now a subject that is also close to my heart: The Detroit Lions. Holy crap, they are 0-3 again. It seems like they can't get a break. I feel like I am in a horrible relationship with the Lions. I know they are going to hurt me, yet I keep going back. I know they are going to give me hope then let me down. It happens all of the time, but I just can't stop getting excited that this is the year. I still believe that one day it's going to be Super Bowl Sunday and I'm going to be getting ready to watch the game I've waited my entire life to watch. The Lions in the Super Bowl. I guess I'm stupid that way. Please be gentle with your comments as I am very sensitive about my relationship with the Lions. I love them and I know someday they will make me happy!
I hope you enjoyed your weekend and always remember that every journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

I've had a revelation recently that has me quite bothered. I have been snookered by my family. In March of this year my wife sent me a picture of herself at a co worker's house holding a puppy. I knew right then that I was in big trouble. Her text spoke of how laid back and cute he was. I resisted, even when my little girl was told of the dog's existence. At that point, I had to realize that the dog was going to be living in my house. I asked who would take the dog out, and said it wouldn't be me. I made it known to my wife that this was going to be her dog. I did NOT want a dog. We have a dog.What am I doing out here!So we have a min-pin Chihuahua mix that weighs about 11lbs. I realized a couple of days ago that I had been had by my wife and kids. I realized this when at about 11:30pm I was outside with this dog on a leash begging him to poop so I could go back into my comfy house. What the hell had happened? I made my position known before we even had the dog: I was not taking it out, ever! Yet, here I was putting the bowel movements annoying little dog before my comfort. Obviously my little girl could not take him out at that point in the night, but my wife had played the guilt card on me. "It's dark and scary out there" she told me. So, it was left to me to make sure I didn't have to clean up pee or poop in my house. That's another thing I had mentioned before we got the dog. I was not cleaning up any messes in the house. Guess who cleans up any accidents? That's right, dear old Dad. How did this happen?When is the right time?So, that brings me to the question that has been bothering me for a while now. When is the right time for a family to take on the responsibility of new pet? My kids are 4 and 2, and I think that's too young to expect them to take full care of the dog. My wife on the other hand could, but somehow it's been left to me. I think that a dog(preferably over a cat in my opinion) is a good thing for a family to have. It does teach kids responsibility, but only if they are at the right age and ready. I wish that I had had a dog that grew up with me when I was young. My family had a number of dogs, all kept outside, but we lost them all to car accidents. We lived in a location that had a blind hill, and had four or five dogs hit as cars came over that hill faster than they should. I think that helped me learn about death and loss at an earlier age than most. I certainly don't want my kids to have to learn that just yet. Yes, I am bitching about having a dog, but I think my little girl is learning from having Rocket(we named him that after the University of Toledo Rockets, where we used to live) in our house. I had her take him out on his leash to go potty during the summer months, and she liked doing that. It was funny to see her struggle to keep up and be overpowered by the little dog! She has learned(I think) that it costs money to buy him food, and that he has to eat just like we do. So, I think that's good. However, for me to expect her to fully take care of the dog would be unfair. I think if she were a few years older I could expect more from her. At this point, I have accepted that taking care of this dog is my mostly my job.
So my question to you my dear reader is, when is the right age to get a family pet and expect your kid(s) to take care of it? I am really looking forward to hearing what some of you think as this is an interesting subject to me.
I look forward to hearing from you, and good night. Always remember, I did NOT want a dog!

Friday, September 24, 2010

That's a lot of blood.Holy crap what a day! Everything was going fine for the day. Everyone had settled down, and no one was cranky. We got Mommy off to work, and got Sydney to school. Denny took a good nap, and I got to do a lot of online reading. We even had an uneventful pick up from school. Then all hell broke loose. I took the kids to the park that is right near Sydney's school, and we had an amazing time. We had the park to ourselves, and I was feeling energetic. I was jumping around and playing with the two of them, making those squeals of laughter that I live for. Then it happened. Denny and I were swinging in one swing and Sydney was twisting the next one up to watch it unfurl. As Denny got up off of my lap, I turned and saw her jump back and start the screaming. I thought she had been hit in the eye by the swing. Oh, was I ever wrong. The metal chain that attaches to the swing had hit her in her right eyebrow. It opened up a cut that looked like a small fist had popped her upside the head. She was holding the spot where it hit as I went to comfort her, then I saw it. There was blood running down the side of her face at a pace that made me very uncomfortable.Heck, I don't know what to do.I gathered her up and wiped as much blood away with my hand as I could, and rushed her to the car. I happened to have brought a towel and a bottle of water with me. I got the cut cleaned up, but it kept bleeding. I made the 12 minute drive to my wife's work and had her come out and give me her opinion on weather I should make the always fun trip to the ER. We decided to just try and fix her up ourselves. Man that child is dramatic. It kept bleeding a little all evening. There is about a one inch long gash right in the middle of her eyebrow that looks like a "t." We had to hold her down in order to put some "new skin" on it and a butterfly bandage. She really looked like she had been in a fight. To be honest, it kind of scared me. She may yet need to get a stitch or two in it.I don't know what I would do if something ever really bad happened to either of my kids. I say a prayer every day for health and happiness for my kids.Switching gears.I've been doing this blog for about two weeks now, and I've really enjoyed it. I've been trying to generate traffic by going to other blogs and websites run by other stay-at-home dads. While doing so, I have come across a number of really great blogs. A couple of note are: http://bigdaddypaul.com/, and http://dadlabs.com/. A couple of bloggers that I've really liked are Keith Wilcox and Ed at home Dad.
I really hope that I can make this work because everywhere I go on the web people talk about how great being a blogger is. There is money to be made if you are willing to work hard, and I certainly am. Plus, it's something that I am very passionate about. Being a SAHD is the most important job I have ever, or will ever, have. I take it very seriously.
That being said, it's time for this post to come to an end. With that in mind, always remember all good things must come to an end. At least for the night.
I will post some pictures of Sydney's injury tomorrow.

Today was a crazy day. The kids were all kinds of cranky, and I was not feeling well. That's a recipe for problems, I promise you that. Sydney has this sound to her voice when she gets all whiny and it just reverberates up my spine and makes me want to take an ice pick and shove it in my eye and swirl it around for a while. Just to distract me from the fact that my beautiful little girl is being an absolute pain in my ass. Plus, Denny was being, well Denny. He was into everything and wouldn't stop fighting with Sydney. I literally had to separate them on a couple of occasions. Nothing I did helped the situation either. I know I was cranky also, due to not feeling the best, and I know kids can feed off of that energy or vibe their parent gives off. Either that or they are just sick to death of seeing my ugly mug all day every day. I've needed a break from them every once in a while, and maybe they need a break from me from time to time as well.Was I the problem?Well, as the day moved on, I was thinking that it was too bad Sydney had to go to school because she really needed a nap. Then, TADA, the school called me with an automated message saying that there was no power and that school was cancelled. About 15 minutes later, they were in bed!!! It was about 15 minutes after that that I spoke by text with a friend with kids in the same district who told me that school wasn't cancelled and it was a mix-up on the school's fault. Too late. I wasn't waking up a cranky four year old and a tired two year old and turning what was an already crazy day into possible Armageddon!!! Anyone in my situation would have done exactly what I did. Let them sleep and take a short nap myself. Yeah, I said it, I took a nap. In the middle of the day. I don't feel bad about it either. Okay, maybe a little. But, I knew I didn't feel well, and a little relaxation probably was for the best. Maybe if I felt better after the nap, I wouldn't be cranky and the kids would feed off of that, and the day would turn around. Nope! I still didn't feel great, and when the kids got up after a decent nap, more of the same.Taking them to the park!I decided to take them to the park to maybe get some pent up energy out of them. However, they both had to spend time on the bench in timeout. They both decided that listening to me was pointless to them and they weren't going to do anything I said. I had to use the most used parenting phrase in the history of time. "Because I said so!" It didn't work. Finally had to pull them aside and let them know that one more instance out of either, and we were going home. That helped. For like two minutes. Denny took off his shoe and threw it down the slide. Almost decapitated some poor little boy. I guess he didn't realize that the future QB of the Lions was throwing things down the slide. Of course, being the future Lions QB means not always being the most accurate with his throws, and he missed the kid. That was beside the point, and I gathered them up and we left. On the plus side Denny is talking more. He pulled out his "Noooo!" and his latest kind of word sounding "Ahh Man!" But, we had to leave.I'm getting to the point.So here is how I made my wife feel better. In an earlier post I mentioned that my wife has been bothered by the fact that my kids have been more attached to me recently. They always want to sit on my lap, and be next to me, and it bothers her that they get up from being with her to come be with me. Well, I guess they were sick of me getting after their little asses and they stuck with Mommy when she got home tonight. So, after being at work and not feeling well herself, she got that kind of pick me up at home. So you see, I am the perfect husband if not a kind of pain in the ass dad. By annoying the hell out of my kids, they didn't want to be around me as much tonight, and spent more time with their mommy, making her feel better. I'm a genius, planned it all along! Ha!!!Okay, that's all for now. I hope all is well with you, and always remember; today will always be better than yesterday.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

I have an interesting subject to talk about today. Grandparents. Part of our day today was spent at my parents house, and we had a nice time. We picked Sydney up from school and went straight over there. My sister's little girl was there, as was my sister's new dog. He's part Great Dane, and holy crap he's going to be huge. Well, the three kids played in the yard as it was really nice out, while the adults sat on the porch talking. And yelling at the kids to stop doing something or other. Well, most of the adults, my dad was not feeling well, so he stayed inside. It got me to thinking about the relationships kids have with their grandparents, and how circumstances affect those relationships. I was lucky growing up and my parents stayed together, and both of their parents were together, and alive. I say alive, because a lot of my friends had lost some or all of their grandparents(from here forward grandparents will be abbreviated GP, I'm tired of typing that long ass word out.) Not only were my all of my GPs alive, but they lived within close proximity of us. One pair lived about 200 yards away(I guess a little like Everyone Loves Raymond, but I was the first born kid and didn't notice anything weird.) I got to spend a lot of time with all four of them, so I was lucky. I didn't lose any GPs until I was 32, and now have lost all but my paternal grandfather(who honestly, I thought would be the first to go!) So where I'm going with this is that so far, my kids are lucky that way also. So many kids today are from broken homes and have parents who have remarried, and have up to four sets of GPs. That has to confuse and water down any relationship the kids have with the GPs. I was particularly close with my mom's mom. She had two girls, so when I came along, I was literally like the son she never had. She even told me that in the later years of her life. It tore me up when she passed, because I'm not sure I ever really let her know how much she meant to me. Now, I have kids of my own who are not able to be as close to their GPs as I'd like. I take full responsibility on that. We live 100 miles from my wife's parents and 20 miles from mine. We don't take the time to visit as much as we should. We had a really nice time today, and should do it more often. We don't travel to my in-laws as much as we should, and neither set of GPs comes to our house. Ever. It really bothers me that even though the opportunity is there, my kids are not going to have the relationship that I had with my GPs. Grandparents are a really big deal in a kids life. They get to spoil them and then send them home for the parents to fix! And believe me, that's the truth. My daughter spent about five days with the wife's parents this summer, and it took me two weeks to get her back on the straight and narrow. She was used to getting everything she wanted, as opposed to most everything she wants here. I had to let her know that just because G&G gave her ice cream every night, that wasn't the way things went at home. We sometimes have brownies instead of ice cream. I had to make sure she knew and accepted that, no matter how hard she resisted the tough love.
I heard the saying once that the reason kids get along with GPs so well is because they have a common enemy. I can see that now that I'm in the middle of that tug of war. My daughter thinks I'm the greatest man to walk the earth, and my mother-in-law, well let's just say, not so much. Even my own mother has her questions about me I think(just kidding mom!) But, and there is always a but, there is going to come a time when my daughter is not going to be four and see Daddy as the savior of all things. The maker of all things possible. The GOAT. That's Greatest Of All Time for those of you who just don't know... There will be a time when I have to tell both of my kids the dreaded "no" word, and it will turn their opinion of me to the WOAT. I won't define that one, if you can't figure it out after I defined GOAT, then I guess I just don't know what to tell you. Well, when that opinion changes, guess who they will bitch to about me? The GPs! And the GPs will agree with my kids that I a worthless and don't know what I'm doing as a parent. They will of course be right about my parenting skills, but that's beside the point. I would love it if I(we) don't become a common enemy, but somehow found something else that would be able to bring my kids closer the their GPs.
If anyone has any ideas on this, please feel free to comment. I really would appreciate the feedback.
Okay, I'm done for the night. Always remember, being nice to people will never cost you a nickle.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

I'll just say this about my kids and discipline: There seems to be none! I try to straddle that line between a tough guy and their best buddy, but I end up on the buddy side more times than not. Even when I get upset and give them crap, I end up caving. I have patience issues with both of my kids and my wife, but deep down I'm a softy. I think it's partially why my kids seem to be favoring me over their mother right now. I am with them so much and being nothing more than a big kid myself, I play with them so much more than anything else. I feel guilty every single time I have to get after them. I believe that kids need discipline in their lives, and I don't know if I am doing a very good job of it up to this point. I can NOT get my son to keep from playing with electrical cords and outlets. I get after him every single time, in a variety of manners, but he just will not listen to me. I think it's somewhat important to keep him alive, and I THINK that maybe it's good idea to keep him away from the electrical outlets. Just a thought.
It goes back to my thoughts on discipline. How do I get my kids to listen to me? I was brought up to do exactly what my parents said, when they said it, or else there was consequences that were not desirable. I got my ass whupped more than a few times, and I don't really like the idea of my kids being afraid of me like I was of my parents. Yes, I have gotten after my kids with volume, and I have my patience issues, but I don't think they are afraid of me. I think that's good right? However, they won't listen to me at all. I mentioned the electrical outlet issue, but he won't quit opening the DVD player either. I have even whacked him on the butt, and swatted his hands, doesn't work. He does what he wants. Then just tonight, Sydney and I were in the basement and she grabbed a book from the box and I told her to leave it downstairs, that's where it belongs. She just kept it and went up the stairs. It really feels like I speak a different language than my kids. I guess my question to anyone reading this is, how do I get them to do what they are told, but also not be afraid of me? I need that happy medium and don't know how to get it. HELP!!!
Please leave me any ideas, because I want to be a better Daddy.
Thanks, and always remember it is what it is.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Today was a big day. Sydney started her new Pre-K program. She was a very big girl today. She did so well, and I was so proud of her. She took the teacher's hand and walked down the hall and I wasn't sure how to feel. On the one hand, I was so proud of her and how she acted like such a big girl. However, on the other hand, I was kind of sad that she is growing up so fast. It is almost not fair that she's four years old. It really does seem like just yesterday that I was looking at her in the warming bed right after she had been born. I remember putting my finger in her hand and telling her I was her Daddy and that I would do my best to never let her down. Now, here she is going off to school. I guess it has to happen at some point, and it is nice to get a little break from her whining all of the time, but I miss her when she's not here.
The teacher told me how great she did, and even used the word "role-model" to describe her. She was one of only a few kids in the class that could write her name. That made me feel good that the work my wife and I have been doing with her is paying off. I did tell the teacher that I think she's going to be President someday, and that she gets all of her brains from her Mommy! I really am a very proud Daddy.
Then their is the boy. I feel as though I am probably going to be spending some time in the Principal's office for that boy. I love that boy so much, and I think he's smarter than he lets on, but there are times I question if he's not an alien. My wife and I have decided he is probably a Gremlin. He makes a lot of noises for no reason whatsoever that really do sound like the gremlins from that movie. Plus, there are certain rules we have to follow with that kid. Once he is down for his nap or at night, there can be NO noise in the house or else he will be up to wreak havoc. You can NOT leave any glass of any liquid within his reach, or else he will find it, attempt to drink from it and come to you going "AAAHHH" as if he has just quenched his thirst. There can be no pens within his reach, or else he will tattoo himself with pen from head to toe. Today he discovered that he can take the substance from his nose and rub it on stuff, so I think he's going to be an artist! I joke, but I really have to get that kid some finger paint. I think he would LOVE it. And of course, there would be no mess for me to clean up. I do think that some mess from kids is okay, even if I bitch about having to clean it up.
Sometimes I complain about my kids, but I love them so much I couldn't imagine my life without them. That's really mushy I know, but it's the truth.
Okay, that's enough for the night. I hope you enjoyed my blog tonight, and remember if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

I'll just say that it really reflects where you are, and how much your life has changed when the highlight of your day, is how much your two year old son pooped in the potty. That's right, my son pooped a whole crap load(literally!) in the potty this evening. Stacy and I made a huge deal out of it, and he was very proud of himself. But, not as proud as I was of him. Really. It was a huge deal because him learning to use the potty like a big boy, means one huge thing. Not the special achievement in his life. No, it means I am a little closer to not having to buy or change his pull up anymore. If we can get to a point where I don't have to wipe another human beings poop off of them, it's a red letter day. I know, I know, he's my son and it shouldn't be any big deal, but I don't like poop. I refuse to pick up our dog's poop if I take him out. I refuse to wipe my 4 year old's poop if she claims to not be able to. And, I do not want to change anymore poopy diapers(pull ups.) Plus, big boy underwear is a lot cheaper to purchase than the seemingly endless amount of packages of pull ups. Does this make me a heartless father? I don't think so!
Sydney starts her first day of pre-k again tomorrow. I say again, because as I've mentioned we pulled her out of the first school we had her in due to the large size of it. She is still kind of confused as to why she has to go to a different school, and claims that she really liked the other school. I'm not sure if she really understands why we are going this route, but hopefully it will make sense to her someday. I really think she will get more attention and feel a lot more family like at this new school. Stacy and I are actually considering moving into the district where she will be going so that we can plan both of our kids going to this school. It's not that far from where we are now and Stacy's(and kind of mine) job. I really think it would be a wise decision on our part if we can find a way to make it work out. It's really weird that in my life now one of the absolute most important thing for me to consider is the education of my children. I remember when the most important thing I thought about was where I was playing ball this week and how I could get a woman to ever even talk to me. Man things sure have changed. Although, I still have a hard time getting a certain woman to talk to me, and I'm actually married to her!
Well, I don't want to speak to soon, but it appears that my fantasy football team is going to pull out a win this week. My team is named Doofenshmirtz Evil Inc. and I just have to get through the last few minutes of the Colts game without one of their WRs going crazy, and I have my first win of the year. So very exciting.
My Lions took another tough loss today, though they made it exciting. They had a chance at the end, but like the Lions always do, they failed to convert the chance.
Ok, I'm done for the night. I hope all is well for you, and always remember to stretch before all physical activities!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Hello once again.
I am writing this barely able to see the computer monitor as I have a HUGE headache. I get them occasionally get them, from what I believe is dehydration. Due to prior health issues in my life it is sometimes difficult to stay hydrated, and like I said I get dehydrated at times. I have what feels like an ice pick being shoved up the back of my skull from the bottom right, right behind my ear. It makes it really hard to keep my eyes open in addition to doing much else(like typing a blog entry.) I am hoping the vicodin I took earlier will help take away the pain, along with the 4 bottles of water I've drank today.
While fighting this headache, I laid on the couch and watched the Michigan game while the wife took the kids to the store for a while. I fully believe that it is good to have a break from the kids every once in a while, and my wife does a great job in helping with that. I don't like for it to be too long of a break as I start to miss my family. Unfortunately, I spent today's break with this headache! At least Michigan won, even if it was a lot closer than I was hoping. Now if I can just get rid of this pounding in my head, and get the Lions to win tomorrow it will be a great weekend.
Until next time, stay classy internet.

Hello again.
As I mentioned earlier, I went to a HS football game to keep stats tonight. A long-time friend of mine is a coach there, and he asked me to be the stat keeper. Of course I said I would, I just love sports that much. Where the problem arose tonight is that, my kids didn't want me to leave. When I told them I had a game to go to, Denny said "Noooo." Even though he doesn't talk much, he KNOWS that word. He hears it enough, I promise you that. Sydney seemed fine with it, until later that is. I kept in touch with the wife throughout the game by text, and after she told me she was putting the kids to bed, she sent me a text that broke my heart. She said Sydney was having a hard time, and wanted to call me and tell me she loved me. I guess she was crying and kind of breaking down. Well, I called when I had a second, and talked to her and told her I loved her, but she didn't seem calmed. Apparently after that she was on her pretend phone talking to me and telling me how much she liked sitting and watching movies with me, how much she liked sitting at the table coloring with me, and all sorts of stuff. Talk about breaking my heart!
I guess the two of them have grown really attached to me, which is good since I am their father. But, it makes the wife feel bad. She feels like the like me more than her, which is RIDICULOUS!!! She doesn't see how much they ask about her throughout the day, and how when they wake up at night, it's her they ask for. Stacy claims it's because they know at night I sleep like the dead and they have no chance at waking me, but I know that's not it. I think Stacy and I have done a good job of sharing the parenting load, and we each have our roles. Right now, the kids are really attached to me because I am with them almost all of the time, plus I am the Daddy that picks them up and spins them around, tickles them, and makes them laugh. Mommy is the one they go to when they need the soft lovey stuff. We both have roles, even though Stacy and I have somewhat reversed what a lot of people would call traditional. Ever since we have been together she has been the one to deal with the stuff requiring mechanical inclination, and I have handled most of the housework. Now, I am the one who stays at home with the kids. Yeah, that may be sexist to say but it's true. Traditionally men and women have had certain roles in marriage and parenting, and more and more it's being flipped upside down. Stacy and my marriage is just one example, and I think the kids being attached to me is just a byproduct of that.
Or, they just like how I smell! I do have some really good smelling soap that I use, and my deodorant is out of this world awesome! Plus, I've mentioned that I am overweight, so that means I always have snacks around. Included in said snacks is often Keebler Peanut Butter Cup cookies, possibly the most perfect food ever made. I think that may be why they want me around so much.
Okay, it's late and I have to go to bed sometime, so I'll see you soon.
I hope all is well for you, and always remember: It's not the size of the dog in the fight, oh forget it. Good night!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Hello again, what a beautiful day it has turned into. I'm glad it has too, as I am going to a high school football game to be a stat keeper for the team a friend of mine coaches. I'd hate to sit outside in crappy weather. I love football and all, but I just don't have it in me to sit through rain or cold(and especially both.)
So, as the title to this entry says my two year old son doesn't really talk. He can say a few words clearly and some that are mostly sounds that kind of sound like a word. His thank you is more like "naah naaah." The thing that bothers me, is that by now his sister(now 4 years old) was talking fully. I know each kid is different and all, but when the kid is mine, I tend to over think and kind of freak out more than I would if it were any one's else. Also, I know it's not really fair to compare him to his sister because he's the baby and the biggest problem is that we probably talk for him. My mom says she sees us do that all the time, and I guess if that's the case he must think "why do I need to talk it they will for me?" His doctor said there is nothing to worry about, and that we would keep an eye on it, but again, he's my kid and I think it's my job to worry about everything to do with him. I just don't want him to feel pressured as well, but I don't want him to be the only full grown 6th grader who can't form his words properly.
Although, it could just be that he doesn't speak English. I think he understands everything I say, but he doesn't listen to it, so maybe he really doesn't speak the same language as me. Maybe I'm the problem. Maybe I speak Mandarin Chinese or something.
So something really neat has happened. I actually have a couple of people following my blog! Yeah, two of them are my wife and mom, but there are actual people that I don't know following this blog!!! I feel so important, and that's not sarcasm.
I am really looking forward to the football weekend. Tomorrow Michigan takes on UMass and should win. Emphasis on should. I really like the way they look so far this year, but I question weather Robinson can keep up the amazing play he has shown so far. I mean the guy is putting up video game type numbers! Then on Sunday my Lions take on the Eagles, and I think they have a shot. I REALLY like the direction this team is headed in. I don't think they are ready for contention this year, but they are not far off. I just don't think they can overcome the loss of their quarterback long term, so they better hope Stafford gets back quick.
My predictions: UM 38 UMass 16. And Lions 23 Eagles 20.
One last thought: My daughter does something that I find to be one of the most amazing things in the world. Out of nowhere sometimes she will just say "Daddy, I love you." Now if that's not a reason to appreciate being a parent I don't know what is.
Until next time always remember: It's not how you start that matters, it's how you finish.
I hope all is well for you.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Hello again.
As I sit and type this entry, I feel really stupid. I am writing a blog, and I really enjoy it so far, but I have a problem. I thought I knew how to do something, but maybe I'm wrong. I have gone to other stay-at-home dads blogs, and left comments and a link to my blog. I thought. It doesn't seem to be leaving the link in blue type so that you can click on it and it will take you that site. Maybe I'm just an idiot, but I thought I had figured it out last night. Maybe I'm wrong though.
Anyone have any ideas on how I can fix this?

Well, I hate rain!!!
I have arthritis in a few places on my body, and it is severely affected by the rain. I almost think I'm getting old, but that can't be the case can it?
The rain has created an inside day for the kids and I, and that's not always a bad thing. Right now I have "The Princess and The Frog" on and our sleeper couch pulled out for them to lay down and watch the movie. Although, this might be the time that sets the record for most times a DVD has been played on one TV being that it is the 1,345,852 time we have watched this particular Disney classic. I've actually become fond of a number of Disney movies/shows in the four, almost five, years that I've been a parent. I am a HUGE fan of "Phineas and Ferb." I even named my Fantasy Football team Doofenshmirtz Evil Inc. after the evil scientist on the show! I love how Disney puts in a lot of their shows adult themes that are not really distinguishable by the children watching, but make it funny for the parents. I think it's a genius move on their part, plus it brings the kids and the parents together, which I really like.
In the past I have had trouble with patience with my kids(and wife.) I take after my namesakes in that regard(I am named after my father and grandfather,) and I am determined to change that. I do not want my son to be as impatient and irritable as I have been. I remember growing up and being scared to death that I'd piss my dad off, and I could see his father was the same way when they were younger. Now as an adult I see why my dad was like that. The pressures and stresses of adulthood, and especially parenthood, can make it hard sometimes. In addition to that, when you're not really good at showing affection like my dad was(is) it makes it seem like you're always cranky. Well, now I am a parent to two kids that I am really trying to focus on raising as even tempered and well adjusted people. What I am not sure of, what does that really mean? I believe it's good to show emotion and passion even if that means acting out sometimes. I believe passion is important in everyone's life, but anger and impatience is just childlike. That's how I acted until a few months ago when I realized that I was being stupid and pushing my wife away instead of making things better. I was just being a cranky pain because I was bummed that I wasn't doing what I wanted in my life. I realized it's okay, because maybe I wasn't put here to teach and coach like I've always wanted, but I'm here to raise these two amazing kids. Maybe that is what the plan is for me, and instead of being upset about it, be happy that I am lucky enough to have two healthy kids that look up to me for some strange reason. I've said for some time now that I feel like the luckiest man alive, and now I've really accepted that it is true.
Now that being said, I feel like running out into the nearest expressway when all I hear is "Denny hit me" and "AHHHH" after nap time! I want to scream and yell myself(and sometimes do,) but I catch myself more and more and remember that only two more days and it's the weekend, and I get to watch Michigan football on Saturday and my beloved Lions on Sunday!!!
I hope all is well with you and always remember "Success is a journey not a destination."

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Hello,
So today has been quite successful. The wife and I took the kids and went to get Sydney signed up for her new school. We are ecstatic over the differences in the school we had her in, and this one. She is going to go to a smaller pre-k program in Parma. The school is more our style. Plus, the teacher has been teaching for 26 years instead of 26 hours! I know all teachers have to start somewhere, but I prefer it not be with my kid! I am sorry, just how I feel.
After we got home, it's been one thing after another. My 4 year old told me that when she gets big, she doesn't have to do what I say, or listen to me. I asked her how that was different from now, and she said "I'll be taller!" So that's the only difference between now and 15 years from now, height!
I also got registered for a sleep study I have to have done. One more thing wrong with me! I think if I could get my fat ass off my fat ass and lose some weight, it would help a lot of the problems I seem to be having. Maybe if I didn't have so much neck fat, I'd be able to breath at night and not snore so loud the cops get called. (It's only happened a couple of times, I swear.) My wife hasn't had a proper nights sleep in years due to the guy sleeping next to her that seems to think Kevin James is the body type he wants! I feel so bad for her, yet I do nothing about it. I can't make myself stop drinking pop, eating fattening foods, or sitting on my ass. It just occurred to me that my plan to be famous from writing this terrific blog, goes right against any getting in shape ideas I might have. I am not talented enough to type out a blog entry while riding a stationary bike(or a regular bike for that matter.) Who am I kidding, I'm not riding any bikes anytime soon! It's too bad that typing and mouse clicking doesn't burn many calories, otherwise I could be lean and mean! What really bothers me is the fact that I am not the Dad I want to be because of my lack of conditioning. I don't have the energy to play with my kids like I'd really like to. I feel so bad sometimes. Aah, to hell with them, I'm getting a glass of pop ;)
Not really, I love my kids more than I can ever put into words, and I am putting right here on the internet for anyone who wants to see, I am going to lose weight and get into better shape. I owe it to my wife and kids to be a better me, and I am going to do it one way or another. Does anyone have any ideas on a starter workout for a almost middle aged guy who is woefully out of shape? If so, please leave a comment or email me at dpombier3@yahoo.com.
Okay, that's all for today, so stop begging for more. I hope all is well in your life and remember "we are never as old or young as we think we are."

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Hi again! Here it is just about mid-September and it's another beautiful day here in Mid-Michigan. I plan on taking the family to the park later after the kids get up from their naps, and they want to feed the ducks. Now, I am not going to be doing any duck feeding as I feel as though all birds are evil monsters who want to kill and eat me! That's what my forever brave wife is for.
The wife and I have a little dilemma that we are trying to solve. My little girl is four right now, and of course she is brilliant. She doesn't turn five until early November, so we had to decide on school for her this year or not. She went to a pre-school type thing last year, and her teachers all said she was more than ready for Kindergarten. Well, the wife and I agreed, however we don't like the idea of her starting Kindergarten when she is only four, meaning she will always be one of the youngest kids in her class. I feel that may be a disadvantage for her in later school years. We worry more about her falling behind in 5th or 6th grade than we do now. So we enrolled her in a Kindergarten readiness program at one of the public schools here in town. All summer long we had a bad feeling about it, and after the first day we knew we were right. It was just too big and unorganized for our liking. And when I picked her up the second day she had had an issue(even though it was just that she accidentally threw away part of a sandwich container.) She just seemed lost at the school. Now we have taken her out of there and are trying to find a program that will get her ready for Kindergarten next year, but we are not having any luck. So Dad is being a pre-school teacher along with everything else right now. It's actually really fun. She is so smart, I think she will be president some day! The only problem is that whenever Mommy is around, she gets really whinny(Sydney that is, Mommy is always whinny!)
So, I also want to talk football. My Lions got royally screwed this Sunday! I jumped up when Johnson caught that pass and was running around the room yelling like a crazy man!!! I even grabbed a small plastic Dora chair of my kids and turned it over and was hitting myself on the head with the seat part. Man that was awesome, the Lions NEVER come back and win games. Well, of course they didn't actually. The referee ruled it an incomplete pass based on a stupid NFL rule that needs to be changed immediately. I guess the rule states that when catching a TD the receiver needs to catch the ball, do three cartwheels, do 60 hours of charity work, and cook a 7 course meal, all while maintaining possession of the ball, in order for it to be a catch! I was so pissed, but yet not surprised at all that the Lions got the shaft!
I really hope that I can get people to read this blog as I enjoy doing this already. I am trying to learn the ins and outs of blogging and hope along the way that I can make some friends I can talk to about my interests and about being a stay at home dad. Plus, I admit, I want to be able to monetize the crap out of it. We all need money and I am tired of being broke 24/7.
Well, I hope all is well with you and until next time: Go Lions!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Hello All,
My name is Denny and I am the father of two beautiful children, Sydney 4, and Denny IV 2. I feel I am the luckiest man in the world. Not only do I have the mentioned children, but I have an amazing wife who has tolerated my sorry behind for the past seven years. Before her, my life really didn't have much to it.
Why am I starting this blog is simple: stress relief!!! I am mostly a stay at home dad, and sometimes it can get a little overwhelming and I think that writing about it might help relieve some of that stress.
Oh, and I want to get lot's of people to read this so I can make lot's of MONEY!!!